E220 - Sulphur dioxide
By the Daat team · Updated October 30, 2026
E220, sulphur dioxide, is a preservative found in wine and dried fruit. Above 10 mg per kg it must be declared as an allergen.
It is in almost every bottle of wine, and in pale dried fruit such as apricots, which would turn dark without it.
Sulphites are one of the allergens that must be declared on food labels. People with asthma tend to be more sensitive to them, which is why the labelling matters.
27 products in our catalog contain E220, or 0.2% of those with an ingredient list. Most of them are cakes, biscuits and pastries.
E220 at a glance
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Sulphur dioxide |
| Also listed as | sulphites |
| Function | Preservative |
| Origin | Plant, mineral or synthetic |
| Vegan / vegetarian | Yes / Yes |
Is E220 vegan?
Yes. E220 has no animal source, so it suits both vegans and vegetarians.